Monday, November 10, 2008

I named my blog what I did because I have a LOT going on in my life. I haven't even put a portion of what goes on in my crazy life here... I think that posting it would actually be a downer for readers, and they'd see a side of me I rarely show in Real Life.

At work the other day, I was fixing a computer for a lady who works in the ER. A gentleman she had been working with was pretty down on his luck, and she had to deal with him as he complained about his life. He wanted to end it all, but was 'too chicken' to commit suicide. She felt a lot of pity for this man, and could see why he felt the way he did because of his circumstances.

I listened to her for a minute, and said:

"It's not what life throws at you that is the problem-- it's how you choose to deal with it. Attitude is everything."

I explained that I have things going on in my life that are pretty significant, and yet I try to wake up each day and make it a good one. I briefly outlined a few things I'm currently dealing with (severe chronic pain, having to get a stalking injunction taken out on my sister, my ex-husband's suicide, remarriage and blending families of teenagers together, etc.). She looked dumbfounded, and expressed that she never knew what kind of troubles I had been dealing with, even though she has known me for over 2 years.

I quietly offered to her, "I believe that while you may not have control over many circumstances in your life, the attitude you choose to handle those circumstances is under your control. Attitude determines your level of happiness."

Abraham Lincoln once said, "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." I firmly believe there is much wisdom and truth to his words.

You are sooooo right. So many people ask 'why me?' as if there is a beligerant God pointing down and saying 'let's give them something bad'. My mum used to say that a lot when she first got ill, and it was only when she accepted that it was not a punishment that she attained a kind of calm.Everyone has a story, we all have bad breaks, and rather like fighting against pain it is worse to tighten up. Accept and relax into pain and it lessens, realise that you are not alone, that things can only get better,and that a smile can make the sun come out and you are halfway there.

Here here Jello, I am totally signed up to that way of thinking too.There is a woman who works at a store near me. She has a shitty job, her family is always always broke and she lost her mother at the tail end of last year. And yet she always has a cheery smile for shoppers, always chats and makes pleasantries and always makes shopping there that little bit more uplifting.She is a shining example of having the right attitude in life.

Lincoln was absolutely correct, and so are you. Of course, some folks are cursed with chemical imbalances, resulting in severe depression and other medical problems, and they need more than just a good attitude in the morning. Mostly, though, our attitudes toward life are the most important thing.

Jello Ingredients

GreenJello

Utah, United States

I'm Suz, a mother of 7 beautiful daughters & step-daughters, ranging in age from 22 to 14. I work full-time as a computer geek, and have a part-time internet business on the side in my free time (ha!). Life is never boring around here!